Making a Halfling Paladin/Rogue... thoughts?

[The Souljourner]

So I was thinking about my halfling paladin, and it occured to me that it would be interesting to make a paladin/rogue, since it's such an unusual combination. Assuming my DM allows freely multiclassing between the two... what do you think the character should do? Is hiding in shadows and moving silently too underhanded? How about sneak attack?

It's an interesting idea, and I'm just starting to think about it, so I don't have a lot of ideas on it yet. Just looking for other people's input.

-The Souljourner

 

[Hypersmurf]

I see a Paladin Rogue as an Untouchable Investigator type.

Lots of ranks in Gather Information, Diplomacy, Sense Motive, etc. High Wisdom.

I would build Benton Fraser from Due South as a Paladin/Ranger/Rogue.

I think a lot of the sneaking around and sneak attacking depends on your deity, as well. I certainly wouldn't have a problem with Sneak Attacking while flanking, and there's nothing dishonourable about feinting in combat. Sneak Attacking while invisible is a grey area that you have to check with your deity about.

I don't think the Paladin's Code must preclude stealth. The classic shiny-armoured, lance-and-warhorse, charge-and-damn-them-all model, certainly... but that's not the only way to play a paladin.

I had a Paladin/Rogue/Watch Detective (can't remember the exact build) that I never had a chance to play, but I think the concept is a very viable one... particularly in a city-based campaign.

-Hyp.

 

[The Souljourner]

Interesting... yeah, the untouchable thing is something I just thought of. If you eventually take a level or more of Templar, you could have evasion and mettle, with a paladin's saves (and since he's also a rogue, he'll have decent reflex saves even), you'd rarely be affected by spells.

I'm definitely a fan of doing something different, and I think my DM isn't of the "Lawful stupid" camp of Paladin rules.

Mm... feint then sneak attack/smite. "Taste the power of Yondalla, foul creature!" Hehe. Nothing like getting your charisma bonus to hit on a sneak attack, and it's awfully nice to not have to worry about dodge or dex bonuses when smiting. Hmm...

Plus, like you said, you get rogue skills, many of which are charisma based. I think sneaking around is probably fine as long as you're not breaking into people's homes and things. It could even be played as a slightly dark paladin. One who is so familiar with the darker side of life would be hard pressed not to emulate it, though obviously not without honor (so... sneaking around to follow people, using intimidation on bad guys, but not shooting someone in the back with a sneak attack).

As for invisibility - I think for sneaking around it's probably fine, but I wouldn't attack while invisible, just as I wouldn't attack while hiding.

Hmm... this is a really neat idea.

-The Souljourner

 

[Hypersmurf]

Hmm... this is a really neat idea.

It's one I've thought about a lot, ever since I had an argument with a DM who categorically stated that Paladin/Rogues are impossible because Rogues are Thieves.

I don't have a lot of respect for her.

-Hyp.

 

[Mahali]

Heh, she should have seen one game I was in. The cleric stole more than the rogue ever considered.

Rogue equals rogue
thief equal thief
roge does not equal thief

 

[Sullaf]

How about the Holy Liberator PrC, which is basically... a Paladin. Your alignment must be chaotic good, which imho suits a halfling rogue better dan lawful good. And as he upholds his own moral code (more or less) you are less likely to break a law 'on purpouse'... Just an idea

 

[Darklone]

It's one I've thought about a lot, ever since I had an argument with a DM who categorically stated that Paladin/Rogues are impossible because Rogues are Thieves.

I don't have a lot of respect for her.

-Hyp.

Showed her a 3rd edition book?

Well... I wouldn't mind a paladin scout or detective... but sneak attacking... no real knight would attack someone who turns his back towards him or who drops his weapon or so.... so no, I'd say for a knightly paladin, no sneak attacks.

Feinting is different though. It's a one on one situation and it's not unfair (as compared to flanking is fighting two against one).

Definitely an interesting character. Check out Call of Duty perhaps... there are a lot of paladin types and the paladin as prestige class...

 

[Hypersmurf]

Feinting is different though. It's a one on one situation and it's not unfair (as compared to flanking is fighting two against one).

I'd allow a Paladin/Rogue to sneak attack after a successful feint.

And you can flank someone without attacking them.

Example :

P
1
A2

The paladin is fighting enemy 1; his ally is fighting enemy 2. However, the ally provides the paladin with a +2 attack bonus and the ability to deal sneak attack damage.

I don't see anything dishonorable about either case. And "No fighting two on one" is not a part of the umbrella "Be good" code of the paladin. It might figure in the codes of certain organisations, but it comes perilously close to Lawful Stupid if you apply it as a blanket rule...

-Hyp.

 

[Bauglir]

No fighting 2 on 1!

I'll take this Hydra alone!

 

[Hypersmurf]

I'll take this Hydra alone!

Beware Ethereal Filchers

-Hyp.